USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > Official reports of the town of Wayland 1948-1950 > Part 20
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Buildings Exclusive of Land 4,596,375.00
State Owned Land 45,588.50
$6,369,943.50
Personal Estate Assessed January 1, 1949 Stock in Trade $ 32,650.00
134
Machinery Live Stock
304,138.00 57,446.00
All Other Tangible Personal Property 136,797.00
531,031.00
Total Property Assessed January 1, 1949
$6,900,974.50
Total Property Assessed January 1, 1948
6,515,838.50
Increase
$ 385,146.00
Number of Polls Assessed :
1,380
Number of Live Stock Assessed :
Farm Horses
15
Saddle Horses
28
Ponies 8
51
Number of Neat Cattle :
Cows
354
Yearlings
54
Heifers
42
96
Bulls
14
Swine
134
Fowl
3,580
All Other :
Mules
2
Turkeys
12
Mink
150
Goats
14
178
Number of Acres of Land Assessed :
8,184
Number of Dwellings Assessed
1,437
Omitted Assessments :
Real Estate
Personal Estate
Additional Polls-9
none $500.00 18.00
Motor Vehicles :
Number
Tax
1949
2,245
Value $868,933.00
$27,618.14
1948
1,987
673,610.00
19,208.58
Increase
258
$195,323.00
$ 8,409.56
-
135
Valuation
Exempt from Taxes :
United States Government
Post Office-Equipment $ 400.00
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Weston & Pressure Aqueducts
15,000.00
Widows (Real Estate)
12,965.00
Veterans (Real Estate)
73,500.00
$101,865.00
Town-Personal and Real :
Schools
$195,200.00
Parks
29,415.00
Fire Department
22,400.00
Police Department
300.00
Water Department
373,400.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
500.00
Moth Department
2,000.00
Town Hall and Equipment
43,500.00
Highway Department
41,955.00
Library and Books
57,000.00
Cemeteries
5,750.00
Cochituate Civic Center
Building-Land
2,500.00
Tax Title Possessions
5,500.00
779,420.00
Churches and Parsonages
Church Property
$143,300.00
Parsonages
15,255.00
158,555.00
Church Cemetery
Fraternal Societies
Pequod Lodge. I.O.O.F .- Equipment
200.00
Corporations
Hannah Williams Playground, Inc. $ 2,950.00
Wayland and Cochituate Legion
Building Association, Inc.
15,500.00
Dorchester House, Inc .- Land
600.00
The Grey Nuns Charities, Inc.
20,000.00
Vokes Players, Inc.
1,200.00
40,250.00
$1,082,290.00
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2,000.00
Tax Levy of 1949
Appropriation for Town Purposes
$482,759.30 14,481.31
Overlay for 1949
$497,240.61
State Park Tax $ 359.10
66
Under-
estimate-1948 49.25
State Audit 1,034.61
$1,442.96
County Tax $11,841.19
Underestimate
-1948
678.83
Tuberculosis Hospital Tax 3,015.48
Retirement System
2,012.70
17,548.20
18,991.16
To be raised
$516,231.77
Estimated Receipts and Available Funds:
Income Tax
$40,578.43
Corporation Tax
15,562.43
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
20,000.00
Licenses
7,000.00
Fines
100.00
Grants and Gifts
10,000.00
Special Assessments-Moth & Betterments
800.00
General Government
500.00
Health & School Nurse
500.00
Old Age Assistance
34,400.00
Old Age Tax (Meals)
1,718.17
School
2,800.00
Libraries
200.00
Cemeteries
1,500.00
Interest on Taxes and Assessments
800.00
In Lieu of Taxes
2,005.89
Additional amount of Corporation
& Income Tax approved by Com. Long
5,187.00
Available Funds
68,182.87
211,834.79
To be Levied on Polls and Property
$304,396.98
137
Assessed on Polls Assessed on Personal Property Assessed on Real Estate Fractional Gain
$ 2,760.00
23,365.36 278,271.62
none
$304,396.98
Betterments :
Tax
Interest
Total
Lake Road
$ 71.00
$ 5.28
$ 76.28
Pine Ridge Road
94.65
13.78
108.43
Lakeview Road
48.80
9.16
57.96
242.67
Moth Tax
530.00
Total Amount Committed to Collector-July 5, '49 $305,169.65 Betterments Committed October 19, 1949:
Water Betterments-
Overlook Road
$1,555.51
Riverview Avenue
584.00
$2,139.51
Overlay-1949
$14,481.31
Abatements and Exemptions-1949 5,156.26
Balance 12/31/49 $9,325.05
1949 Rate on Property : $44.00
1949 Rate on Motor Vehicles : $41.32
For Abatements see Collector's Report.
Note: It is to be noted that the tax on State owned land is reflected in estimated receipts-"In Lieu of Taxes."
CHARLES M. MATHEWS, J. FRED WHEELER, Board of Assessors-Wayland.
138
REPORT OF THE WAYLAND PLANNING BOARD For the Year 1949
The most important event in the Planning Board's busy 1949 year was the action of the Town in voting to purchase 131/2 acres of land lying close to the shore of Lake Cochituate for a public park and recreation area. This was done in accordance with the recommendation of the special committee appointed at the 1948 annual meeting in response to an article sponsored by the Board. Enabling legislation had meantime been introduced and passed by the General Court, under which a beautiful stretch of white, sandy beach adjoining the area to be purchased may be leased by the Town to be used in con- junction with the land acquired.
Town Buys Cochituate Lake Shore
Close consultation was constantly maintained between the Special Committee appointed to consider this matter, this Board and the Finance Committee during the progress of the prepara- tory study. The Town also had the benefit of the advice of the noted landscape architect and planner, Sidney Shurcliff. The Town of Wayland is to be congratulated on its unusual foresight in acquiring this tract at a time when the area is still unspoiled, with beautiful woods adjoining the beach. We tender our thanks to Chairman Tarr and his special committee for their intense application to the problem and for the success that crowned their efforts; The Finance Committee is also to be commended for its broad-minded attitude which has made this happy result possible in spite of the unprecedented demands on the Town's finances for schools and water supply. Though there are many reasons for wishing that the area acquired might have been still larger, a great forward step has been made.
Sudbury Valley Commission
An advance along another line initiated by this Board was the appointment of Sudbury Valley Commission under a legis-
139
tive act introduced by our Board in cooperation with the Plan- ning Boards of Sudbury and Lincoln. The eventual use to which the thousands of acres of Sudbury River marsh lying in these three towns are to be put will have a vast influence on the future of these communities. The Commission has filed a preliminary report and its life and appropriation have been extended by the Legislature for further study.
Still Fighting Power Line
The battle against the proposed overhead power line through the town has been continued vigorously, with the steady cooperation of the Selectmen and townspeople. Despite the efforts of able counsel and the protests of hundreds of citizens, the months of hearings on the matter resulted in a decision by the Department of Public Utilities to allow the Edison Company to proceed. This was immediately challenged in a Supreme Court appeal, but the Court declined to assume jurisdiction in the case. The next resort was to legislation, and three bills were introduced in the General Court, the pur- pose of which is to compel the Edison Company to lay their wires underground. As indicated by the vote at the special town meeting in December, the Town plans no letup in its fight against disfigurement of some of our most attractive building areas.
Rapid Building Development
Building development has been rapid in the last year in several sections of the Town. Under the Board's carefully considered regulations, attractive subdivision layouts have been approved at Westway Road in the former Westway Orchards off State Road East; Hayward Road and Sylvan Way in the former Hayward property, both on the north side of State Road East; an extension of Shaw Drive in the Woodridge area ; and proposed street entrances and possible layout received tentative approval on the 70-acre tract at the easterly corner of Concord Road and Glezen Lane recently purchased for houselot division. In connection with a development by Thomas Wentworth on Plain Road. arrangements have been made with the County Commissioners with the cordial cooperation of Mr. Wentworth for the relocation of a dangerous section of the road. In several other developments on existing roads where the approval of the Board is technically not required, our friendly advice has been sought and given with favorable results, we hope, for both developers and the town.
140
Center Highway Redesigned
In cooperation with the Highway Commissioners the Board obtained the advice of Edgar Copill, traffic engineer of the State Public Works Department, to recommend as to the design to be used in rebuilding of Cochituate Road at Wayland Center under Chapter 90. The Board was also helpful in arranging that the fill from the excavation for this road be trucked to the School Playground at Wayland Center as requested by the Park Department. There it will provide additional play area for the children of the grade school.
Activities at Riverview Terrace
The second section of the Riverview Terrace improvement, a project on which the Board has been at work for several years, was built by the Highway Department after the pipe was laid by the Water Department. The third and last section is to be voted on at the coming town meeting. The value of a strong local association such as that at Riverview Terrace was proved not only by their success in persuading the Town to do this work, but by their insistence that the Town act to prevent certain unsuitable buildings in that area from being used for habitation. At the Association's request, the Planning Board through an active subcommittee called together the Selectmen, Board of Health, Building Inspector, Welfare Board, Fire Chief, Town Counsel, Finance Committee, state health authorities and other officials. Twenty-six responded, said to be the largest group of officials of our Town gathered at one meeting for many years. Certain buildings were con- demned for habitation, and plans laid which later resulted in the purchase of others at the Special ( fall) Town Meeting. The alertness of this group of citizens in preventing advantage being taken of our summer camps by speculative interests can easily save the Town thousands of dollars yearly in welfare, health and school expenses.
Zoning Policies
The Zoning Bylaw, except for certain changes in paragraph numbering recommended by the Board, has stood through the year without alteration, the town meeting following in each instance the advice of the Board with regard to various sug- gested changes. The Town did, however, adopt a two-year limitation on bringing up changes for reconsideration, once they have been voted down. A violation in the north part of
141
town of the earth removal provisions of the bylaw was reported to the Town Counsel and stopped. The Board will give further study to the present zoning as related to the possibilities and need for business growth at the two village centers.
We Begin Street Numbering
An increasing call for street numbering was recognized when the Town voted at the special meeting to turn this matter over to the Planning Board. A sample numbering of East and West Plain Streets had been worked out before the matter was placed in the warrant. All new streets will be numbered hereafter as regular procedure, as soon as rules are adopted by the Board; and as funds permit, the numbering of existing streets will begin.
Some of Our Homework
Studies are proceeding for a completely new layout for the Bent Avenue area southeast of Dudley Pond ; progress has been made in the proposed connection between the end of Stonbridge Road and School Street at Fiske's Corner; much thought has been given to the problem of laying out Fuller Road: to various real estate developments on existing town roads : to filling the missing links in the park areas at River- view Terrace ; to the proposed post office development at Way- land Center ; to the Conservation Department's plans for Lake Cochituate and to many other problems. With only the volun- tary service of Board members to depend on, this wide diver- sity of matters could not be handled were not the Board care- fully organized into three subcommittees, each with specific areas of responsibility. Members have also served on the School Building, Cochituate Park and other special committees.
In cooperation with the Board of Assessors, the town map has been amended, under Engineer Brooks' care, to keep pace with the rapid changes in ownership and division of land which take place. The maps are now five years old or more. The time is here when they should be reprinted so that all Town officials to whom the maps are loaned may have up-to-date copies.
Park Land: The Board's Policy
The policy of the Board as to park land is becoming of such interest and importance that a few closing paragraphs should be devoted to its discussion. Under the basic state law,
142
in the layout of a new real estate development, a planning board may require the developer to set aside for park land up to 5% of the area being divided. The usefulness of this modern pro- vision of law may readily be seen by looking at the solid blocks of one, two and three-family houses in the close-in suburbs of Boston, built up in the early part of the century with no space set aside for parks, playgrounds or schoolhouses. These improvements later have to be provided, often inadequately, by condemnation proceedings or by filling swamp areas at inordinately great expense.
It is the intention of this Board that such extravagant lack of foresight shall not be the practice in this town. Our general policy therefore is to set aside the banks of streams; hilltop spots with far views, as at Woodridge; meadow lands not adaptable to building; access areas to ponds; and other suitable areas for park purposes. These are dedicated to the Town without cost by the developer, along with the street and drainage areas that go with the development. The pieces to be chosen are carefully discussed and agreed on in advance, so that the developer shall only not be financially injured, but come to realize that setting aside such areas will be a real advantage to the total development.
As School Committee policy develops, it should also be possible by this method, with a minimum of cost to the Town, to acquire the sites for the future schoolhouses that may be needed to care for the children of the very streets that are to be built in areas not yet built on.
This explanation of policy is made lest any citizens get the impression that land is being thoughtlessly taken off the tax rolls, for park purposes, by this Board. The actual result is quite the opposite. The many new houselots and dwellings in each development are added to the tax assessment list at the same time that carefully selected areas are set aside for future service to the very people who build the houses. And all of this is accomplished at little or no expense to either the Town or the real estate developer, while the layout is still on paper.
The Board hopes that this policy of acquisition of areas for the future benefit of the public will meet with the approval of all thoughtful citizens, and that they will become as con- vinced of its wisdom as is this Board.
143
We Thank You!
Our thanks are due to the Selectmen, Town Counsel, High- way Surveyor and Road Commissioners, Water Board, Park Board, Assessors, Town Treasurer, Building Inspector, the Town's office staff and the many other officials who have worked with us for the benefit of the Town through the year. We appreciate the continued help of the Dudley Pond Association, the Riverview Terrace Association, and the individual citizens who have taken an interest in our activities. Our relations with the real estate developers have been cordial, and we thank them for their cooperative attitude.
The Town is growing : and we are trying to do all possible to see that it is grows right.
HOWARD S. RUSSELL, Chairman, FRANK S. TARR, Clerk, B. ALLEN BENJAMIN, CARL T. EMERY, GERALD LISCOMBE.
144
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE For the Year Ending December 31, 1949
Drunkenness
17
Driving under the influence
8
Driving to endanger
5
Improper plates
2
No license in possession
1
No license
4 1
No headlights
1
Unregistered car
2
No sticker
2
Leaving the scene
2
Speeding
2
Manslaughter
1
Assault and battery
2
Non-Support
3
Destruction of property
1
Disturbing the peace
1
Violation of Health Regulations
1
Larceny
7
Breaking glass in building
2
Removing human body
2
Leaving refuse in State Park
1
Threat
1 1
Unlicensed dog
Fish and Game
4
Stolen goods
1
Impersonating Police Officer
1
76
This list includes arrests made by the State Police.
This list does not include the juvenile arrests.
The Wayland Police served, during 1949 ninety-five summonses, three to Parents, three to Children and fourteen to Show Cause.
I want to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Thomas W.
145
No insurance
Bowles, Mr. Charles R. Smith, Mr. George R. Fleck and his partner Mr. Jacob Warsky for purchasing the calendars that have been distributed in the town to help keep Wayland and Cochituate Streets safe for our children.
The police cruiser with its two way radio has again proven to be a big help to the department, also to the Fire Department in summoning help. It has also made several trips for the Welfare Department.
I want to take this opportunity to thank Chief Thomas P. Evans and members of the Natick Police Department for the fine help and cooperation that they have given me.
ERNEST H. DAMON, Chief of Police.
146
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
The Fire Department answered the following alarms for the year ending 1949.
Number of alarms answered by
Cochituate
Wayland
Woods
9
7
Grass
19
9
Brush
3
7
Chimney
0
2
House
5
4
Dump
2
7
Rescue
1
1
Auto
3
5
First Aid
1
0
Sprinkler
0
1
Barn
0
2
Oil Burner
3
5
Auto Accident
0
1
Lumber
0
1
Meadows
0
2
Truck
0
2
Resuscitator
1
0
Short Circuit
1
0
False
8
1
Total
56
57
There was a large increase in the number of calls this year. The department answered a total of 113 calls as compared to 87 in 1948.
There were 20 house fires from all causes as compared to 16 in 1948. Grass, woods and brush continue to head the list in calls. The fire calls to the dump this year have been reduced to a minimum. The department was compelled to purchase four all-purpose gas masks, due to a law which made it mandatory that every city and town supply each fire station with two masks.
During the month of May, Chief Harrington retired from
147
the department ; and on May twenty-fourth the members of both the Cochituate and Wayland Fire Companies arranged a testimonial banquet at the Mansion Inn in honor of both Mr. and Mrs. Harrington for the fine service that they had ren- dered to the fire department in the past. That evening was a memorable one for Mr. and Mrs. Harrington, as the banquet was well attended by State and local officials, members of fire departments of our surrounding towns and cities, full attend- ance of the Cochituate and Wayland Fire Companies, and a fine representation of the citizens of the town.
In June, Parker Groton was appointed to the Board of Fire Engineers to fill the vacancy caused by Chief Harrington's retirement, and on June twenty-first the Board organized with the following members to fill the various offices to operate the Fire Department :
F. Clifton Haynes, Chief .
H. L. MacDonald, Assistant Chief
Frank H. Carter, Deputy Chief of the Wayland Company Parker Groton, Deputy Chief of the Cochituate Company Ernest H. Damon, Engineer
The fire alarm system was extended this past year from Fiske Corner to Wayland which now provides, to a certain extent, direct communication between the Wayland and Cochit- uate fire stations. However, until such time that an air whistle is installed at the Wayland station, maximum efficiency in mutual aid cannot be obtained between the two precincts. Along the course of this new fire alarm extension, five new fire boxes were installed at the following locations : Fiske Corner, Woodridge at Fox Meadow Lane, Winthrop Road, opposite the Center School, Wayland Square and one at the High School. An additional fire box was installed in front of the Cochituate School.
In September a group of citizens from the Stonebridge section of Wayland met with the Board of Engineers to dis- cuss fire problems in their community. It was their desire to have the fire department run a series of fire drills to instruct them in the care and use of hose, appliances, and ladders. These drills were conducted during the fall months until the men became efficient in handling this equipment. This same group of men are now sponsoring an article for the next An- nual Town Meeting to see if the town will appropriate money for a small fire fighting unit in that community.
148
There were 461 oil inspections made this year plus the inspection of 84 new installations. There were 32 installations found to be defective and permits were denied until repairs were made by the owners.
Fees collected from oil burner installations for 1949 amounted to $42.00 and have been turned over to the Town Treasurer.
Respectfully submitted, F. CLIFTON HAYNES, H. L. MacDONALD, FRANK H. CARTER, PARKER GROTON, ERNEST H. DAMON, Board of Fire Engineers.
149
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Work performed by the Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year ending December 31, 1949 is as follows :
Sealed Not Sealed
Scales
Platform, 5,000 lbs. to 10,000 lbs.
1
0
Platform, 1,000 lbs. to 5,000 lbs.
8
1
Scales or Balances under 100 lbs.
37
0
Weights
13
0
Apothecary
9
0
Capacity Measures
Liquid, 1 gal. or under
12
3
Meters, 1" or under (Gas)
24
0
Oil and Grease
7
0
Automatic Measuring
Vehicle Tank Systems
2
0
Kerosene-Oil-Grease
8
0
Trial Weighing of Commodities
No. Tested
No. Correct
Under
Over
Bread
4
4
Charcoal
2
2
Ice
4
2
2
Potatoes
3
2
1
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD T. DAMON.
150
REPORT OF MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
The trees on the town property were kept clean from insect pests the past year by timely spraying. Due to control work done the past few years, there were only a few spots in town where Gypsy Moths were found. The Elm Leaf Beetles are still with us throughout the town. Spraying has controlled this pest. The Tent Caterpillars were not as numerous this year, due to the control spraying the past two years. The Fall Web Worm was a pest this year.
The spraying was done at night again this year as time is saved due to traffic and wind. All the trees on town property were sprayed once, the Elms twice and those needing it three times. The town trees with Fall Web Worm nests starting were sprayed once.
The Dutch Elm Disease has made headway in Ashland and Framingham. The State and Federal agents are asking all towns and individuals to keep the Elms sprayed, pruned by removing all dead wood and to dispose of sickly Elms and wood removed by burning.
I have taken and sent in to the State numerous samples from Elm trees to have them checked for the Dutch Elm Disease.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES L. FULLICK, Moth Superintendent.
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
The trees through the town have been cleared of dead wood and dangerous hanging limbs. Also some high thinning and special tree work was done.
There were forty-five trees planted this year.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES L. FULLICK, Tree Warden.
151
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
The Building Inspection Department submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1949.
The number of permits issued during 1949 are as follows : Building Permits
31 alterations
63 new houses
13 garages
1 lubritorium
1 greenhouse
1 studio
1 dairy barn
3 sheds
Wiring Permits
37 alterations
47 new houses
4 old houses
49 oil burners
15 hot water heaters
19 ranges
1 club house
1 ice cream spa
1 garage
1 electric signs
5 electric control on gas heaters
The total estimated cost of new buildings and alterations in 1949 was $405,550. To show the development of new homes, alterations and other new taxable property a list of comparisons are shown back to 1946.
New Houses
Estimated Cost
1946
32
$221,075
1947
64
406,100
1948
40
243,200
1949
63
405,550
New Houses
Cochituate
Wayland
1946
32
15
17
1947
64
38
26
1948
40
23
17
1949
63
28
35
152
Under Chapter 143 of the General Laws of the Common- wealth five dwellings were condemned due to the fact that they were dangerous to life and limb, and a fire menace. Three of these cottages were torn down and the owners of the other two chose to make the necessary repairs to bring them up to the requirements of the Building Code. Two other cottages were torn down voluntarily by their owners without condemn- ing procedure.
There were 43 cases of zoning variations prepared and brought before the Zoning Board of Appeals for decision, which was two more than in the previous year.
Two more home developments were added this year bring- ing the total number of developments in the town up to five. The homes that are being built both on single lots and in the developments are made invariably for individuals rather than for speculation, and a large percentage of these houses are being made better than code requirements.
The two large additions to the High School and the Cochit- uate School were completed during the past year. Numerous inspections were made jointly by the State and local inspector in regard to its structural strength and its electrical wiring as the additions progressed. It is very gratifying to report the fine workmanship in the buildings and also the fine spirit of cooperation the various supervisors gave to both inspection departments.
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